Highlighted: The Clash between Feyenoord and PSV
The upcoming match at De Kuip holds a lot at stake in the Topper. Will PSV widen the gap to ten points with Feyenoord, or will the Rotterdammers make the title race thrilling again? One thing is certain, the two best teams in the Netherlands will face off on Sunday at 12:15 PM for a true spectacle
PSV in top form
PSV's strong start to the season is an understatement. With 39 points from thirteen league games and a ticket to the Champions League knockout stage secured, the Eindhoven side travels to Rotterdam with great confidence. Peter Bosz's squad aims for a fourteenth consecutive Eredivisie victory, which would be an almost unique achievement. Only in the 1987/88 season did a team start an Eredivisie campaign better than the current PSV side: Guus Hiddink's PSV
Luuk de Jong (C) and Hirving Lozano celebrate the 5-2 goal against Ajax (29-10-2023)
Best seasons starts in Eredivisie history
| Team | Season | PLD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PNT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PSV |
1987/88 |
17 |
17 |
0 |
0 |
68 |
13 |
55 |
51 |
|
PSV |
2023/24 |
13 |
13 |
0 |
0 |
48 |
5 |
43 |
39 |
|
PSV |
2018/19 |
13 |
13 |
0 |
0 |
46 |
5 |
41 |
39 |
|
Ajax |
1995/96 |
12 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
47 |
3 |
44 |
36 |
|
Ajax |
1997/98 |
11 |
11 |
0 |
0 |
42 |
3 |
39 |
33 |
FEYENOORD BEST SEASON START OF THE CENTURY
Feyenoord is trailing seven points behind PSV, but it would be unfair to say that the residents of De Kuip haven't had a good enough start to the season. After thirteen matches, Feyenoord sits at 32 points, thus equalling the club's best season start of this century. Their current goal difference of +29 is even higher than in any other season this century when the Rotterdammers amassed 32 points from the first thirteen games (+24 in 2016/17). The unfortunate points dropped against Fortuna Sittard and Sparta Rotterdam in the first two matchdays, along with the loss in the traditionally challenging away fixture against FC Twente, could, with a victory on Sunday, be partially compensated.
Feyenoord players celebrate the second goal against SC Heerenveen (16-09-2023)
TIMBER VS VEERMAN
In genuine top matches, the battle is often decided in the midfield. Quinten Timber and Joey Veerman have been crucial for their teams throughout the season. Veerman has scored three times for PSV in this Eredivisie season and provided seven assists, while Timber, representing Feyenoord, has found the net four times and provided the decisive pass six times. Joey Veerman has created the most chances for teammates this Eredivisie season, but it's Timber who stays ahead of the PSV player(s) in open play.
The connection between Quinten Timber and Santiago Giménez is noteworthy as well. Timber has created eleven chances for the Mexican striker this Eredivisie season, resulting in five goals. Will this connection prove to be the key to success for Feyenoord on Sunday, or will Veerman's form bring success for PSV at De Kuip?
Quinten Timber (L) and Joey Veerman (R) in action
Kings of Opportunities
| Player | Created opportunities |
|---|---|
|
1 Joey Veerman |
63 |
|
2 Quinten Timber |
36 |
|
= Calvin Stengs |
36 |
|
4 Johan Bakayoko |
34 |
|
5 Yukinari Sugawara |
29 |
|
= Thom Haye |
29 |
| Player | Created opportunities from open play |
|---|---|
|
1 Quinten Timber |
35 |
|
2 Johan Bakayoko |
31 |
|
3 Joey Veerman |
29 |
|
4 Calvin Stengs |
27 |
|
5 Luuk de Jong |
26 |
Will PSV remain undefeated, or can Feyenoord narrow the gap with the league leaders? Tune in live this Sunday at 12:15 for the top match Feyenoord vs. PSV on ESPN!
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